The freedom that faith brings

‘Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God.’  (Romans 5:1)

This is one of the most important verses in our history.

This little phrase, ‘Justified by faith’, turned the world upside down. It brought a Reformation to England and Europe.

The Roman Catholic religion was dominant throughout the nations, with priests and pontiffs barking their orders and demanding submission and obedience to the hierarchy of the church. The priests claimed that they held superior knowledge, and the Pope declared himself to be God’s infallible voice on earth. 

Nothing has changed as far as those things are concerned. 

If you wanted your sins forgiven and to have a right standing in the church, or with God, they told you that you must confess your sins to a priest and pay whatever penances he decided. The more good things you did, the better chance you would get to going to heaven. 

And millions of people all over the world are still slaves to the same system today.

The short but powerful text above would counter-act all the false teaching of such religious nonsense, and bring about a freedom from superstition and slavery that dominated society. People were in fear of the priesthood and terrified of ‘excommunication’ (being thrown out of the church and banished to hell).

Then the real preachers came, and declared that a person can know Christ Jesus, be forgiven all of their sins and guaranteed eternal life, without the need for any priest or pope. They stated that a person could be right with God simply by believing what the Bible says.

They could be justified (just-as-if-I’d never sinned) simply by believing the words of John 3:16.

No need to go to a priest for prayer. Simply talk to the Saviour of the world. No need to ever bow to any idol, Madonna, crucifix, or religious figure. We need bow to the Lord God only.

How can a man or woman have peace with God?

Simply by faith!  Anything added on is a lie and a man-made hindrance to freedom, designed to create unholy control over your life.

The Bible teaches that Christ died for my sin and rose again for my salvation. 

It is this faith that saves me, not the church or its rituals. 

That was always the simple truth that the Scriptures teach. It frees us from the bondage of slavery from a system and religious institution that demands your obedience and subservience.

Being justified only by faith, we have peace with God. Anything more is a false doctrine that will keep you from the full blessing of God’s free salvation. ‘You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.’ 

That truth was not Peter, neither Mary. Both died and are awaiting the day of  resurrection. Jesus said, “I am the truth”. And he proved it by rising from the dead, and he is alive forever more.

Religion has not changed its shape or its tricks in all these centuries, using ignorance, deception, and trickery, to hide the truth and cover it with a cloak of fear. People perish from lack of knowledge and choosing to believe a lie, instead of searching out the truth for themselves.

There is only one Saviour. There is only one name and one go-between who gives us peace with God and a personal relationship, and his name is Jesus. (1Timothy 2:5) . 

He is not in the cathedral, the fancy church building, the idols or stain-glass windows. He is right next to you every moment of every day. He is accessible by faith; and without such faith, it is impossible to please him. (Hebrews 11:6)

'Justified by faith'  -  'Just-as-if-I'd never sinned!' - and that is how God sees me because of Jesus.

Pilgrim Warrior